StemCell Therapy

When it comes to nutrients protecting and maintaining eye and brain health, there are two words everyone should be familiar with - lutein and zeaxanthin. This twosome are key nutrients that have substantial evidence-based science indicating the role they play in keeping two very important organs the eyes and the brain - healthy and working their best. Eye health is one of the most undervalued but important aspects of our overall health, said Dr. David Samadi, chairman of urology and chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He went on to explain, Its important for patients not to neglect their vision health, as eye disorders can be quite debilitating, such as inflammation of the eyelids, blurry vision and even cataracts. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure youre seeing your best.

What are lutein and zeaxanthin Lutein and zeaxanthin are members of xanthophyll carotenoids which are part of more than 600 naturally occurring pigments found in nature that are the sources of the red, yellow, and orange colors of many plants. The human body cannot make them on its own and less than 20 of the over 600 carotenoids are found in the human body. Together, lutein and zeaxanthin have impressive antioxidant potential for eye health and now promising potential for cognitive or brain health.

Their role in eye health Its been known for many years that lutein and zeaxanthin are important for helping to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a chronic eye disease affecting more than 15 million American adults that gradually destroys the macula. The macula is a small region in the retina a light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye thats responsible for clear central vision. It leads to an irreversible vision loss in the center of the field of vision but without affecting peripheral vision. The center field of view will appear blurry, distorted or dark and is like placing your fist at the bridge of your nose creating a blind spot, making it difficult to read, drive, do any close-up work or recognize faces. AMD is the number one cause of severe vision loss and legal blindness of people over the age of 60 in the U.S. Out of all the carotenoids present in the body, only lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the retina and in high concentrations in the macula of the retina. This is important as lutein and zeaxanthin filter harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light and act as antioxidants in the eye, helping to protect and maintain healthy cells from environmental and light-induced oxidative damage caused by smoking, pollutants and sun exposure. Two research studies over the years have provided convincing evidence of the vital role lutein and zeaxanthin play in helping to prevent or slow the progression of AMD. The first study occurred back in the 1990s which was a large, randomized clinical trial conducted by the National Institutes of Healths National Eye Institute. This study oversaw the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). Then a second study was completed in 2013 (AREDS2) that confirmed the role of supplements in preventing advanced AMD. The study used a formulation of high-dose antioxidants that showed a 25% reduction risk of developing advanced AMD and a 19% lower risk of central vision loss of people with intermediate or advanced disease. The two nutrients that stood out from the others were lutein and zeaxanthin. Both AREDS and AREDS2 studies used supplementation of lutein at 10 mg a day and supplementation of zeaxanthin of 2 mg a day. Currently, there is no recommended daily intake for lutein or zeaxanthin. However, to lower the risk of AMD, research has shown it takes at least 6 mg of lutein each day but the average adult takes in less than 2 mg of lutein a day.

Their role in brain health In recent years, it appears that lutein and zeaxanthin may now be useful in maintaining cognitive function in the elderly. Data from various studies have supported the importance of lutein and zeaxanthin in brain health. Like the eye, lutein is the predominant carotenoid in the brain and is absorbed by the brain more than any other carotenoid. Years of oxidative stress and inflammation can make the brain vulnerable to decreases in cognitive functioning. What may help are dietary antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that delay oxidative damage to the brain. Lutein and zeaxanthin function as both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in order to maintain proper brain functioning. Data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study provided valuable information, particularly on luteins role in brain health. The study used healthy older women and results showed those who received 12 mg of lutein along with 800 mg of DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) per day were found to have improved verbal fluency, memory scores and a higher learning rate after 4 months. This study helped to support the role carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin along with DHA working together synergistically, can improve brain health. Research has also confirmed that the amount of carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin in the brain are related to the amount of these same carotenoids found in the macula of the retina of the eye. Therefore, the more lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations found in the macula, this most likely reflects higher lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in the brain which could mean higher cognitive functioning.

Nutritions role in eye and brain health At this time it is encouraged for people to consume more carotenoid-rich foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin to maintain and possibly prevent developing AMD or decreased cognitive functioning. If it is difficult for a person to eat foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, then a supplement containing both is recommended. Beta Carotene is a carotenoid compound and in particular has long been known to be a big defender against the risk of disease, particularly certain cancers and eye disease, added Dr. Samadi. Perhaps the connection stems from beta carotene also being linked to aging which many eye diseases develop as a result of. This nutrient is what makes the pigment in fruits and vegetables orange or red. Think tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, red peppers and even dried apricots. Why does it help lower the risk of disease? Because it makes these foods a powerful antioxidant that help fight inflammation and we know this is the most important diet factor we can have, especially early on in life.

Best food sources of both lutein and zeaxanthin:

USDA National Nutrient Database Here are some ideas to help increase food intake of lutein and zeaxanthin: The dark green leafy vegetables can be eaten raw if preferred. Try to consume at least a couple of the above foods daily Dont like the taste? Blend them with other foods in a smoothie Discuss with your physician or optometrist on nutritional supplements containing lutein or zeaxanthin

In conclusion None of us want to develop AMD or have decreased cognitive function as we age. The good news is we can take nutritional preventative measures that can help avoid or at least delay any progression taking place. Dr. Samadi added further, Its interesting how eye and brain health are directly connected, which therefore leads to nutrition and diet habits that can keep both vital organs working at their most optimal. Remember the words lutein and zeaxanthin they may just be the key to more clear thinking and eyesight in the future.

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EAT WELL TO BE WELL: Two nutrients necessary to keep a sharp mind and clear eyesight - Osage County Herald-Chronicle

Jayden Lanning is leaving on a 10-day trip Friday to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris, to gaze at the iconic landmark as its gold lights sparkle at night. If the skies are right later during a stop inIceland, the 11-year-old Ottawa girl may also get to see the Northern Lights, too.

If she's going to go blind, Jayden wants to see the best the world has to offer.

Lanning's parents, Steve and Belinda, adopted Jayden as a baby, andlearned when she was two months old thatshe was deaf.

By coincidence, Belinda Lanning is a sign language interpreter. After teaching Jayden to sign, getting her cochlear implants and intensive speech therapy, her parents thought they had things under control.

Jayden, Belinda, Alena and Steve Lanning outside of their Ottawa home. Their trip is all about seeing the sights through the eyes of their children. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

Then, when she was nine, theylearned she had Usher syndrome, a condition that affects some three to six per cent of children who are deaf and leads to balance and vision issues. In the most serious cases, like Jayden's, it could leadto total blindness. There is currently no cure for Usher syndrome.

"We recognize time is precious," said Belinda Lanning. "We want that filing cabinet in her mind to be full of all sorts of memories so that if she's faced with the future of total blindness, that she has so much to still live in her mind and see still."

Jayden has little peripheral vision. When she looks at objects up close, it's like looking through a circle the size of a golf ball. That tunnel vision could close in entirely during her teen years, her doctors say.

"You get choked up even thinking about it," said her father Steve. "It's tough I just can't fathom really, going without your eyesight."

It was during a heart-to-heart with her daughter not long after they learned she would likely lose her visionthat Belinda asked Jayden what she wanted to see before she lost her sight, and her daughter said the Eiffel Tower.

"I thought that was amazing," said Belinda. "I would have not expected she would have said that. It blew me away."

Jayden is a creative preteen who loves to draw in vivid colours, is interested in fashion, and often gets lost in a good book. Paris is a place she's read all about.

Jayden was diagnosed with Usher syndrome at the age of 9. Her parents had suspected for years that was why her balance was off. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

"I thought it'd be a really interesting place to see," saidJaydenof Paris.

"It seems like it would be really cool to see at night with all the lights, lighting up the entire city. Just seeing it glow."

When Jayden's school, church and friends learned about her wish, they rallied to turn her dream into a reality.

The Ottawa Christian School threw a Paris-themed movie night where kids ate popcorn and parents went out for a date night.

Belinda says their family's faith has given them strength. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

The school also helped bake more than 150 pies to raise money with the Barrhaven Fellowship church the Lannings attend. A crowd-funding campaign brought in more support from friends, family, even strangers around the world.

Six months later, the community raised more than $15,000 for the Lannings' one-of-a-kind trip.

"I feel like it's really kind and generous," said Jayden. "It's so special, because lots of people planned it all out for us."

The Lannings will travel Paris for a week to gaze at theEiffel Tower at day and night and take in the other sights.

On the way home, they're stopping over inIceland with hopes Jayden and her six-year-old sister Alenawill see another spectacular light show.

"They say in Iceland the Northern Lights light up the sky with colour," said Steve. "That's what we want her to see."

Steve Lanning said during the day Jayden has been incrediblystrong. It's only every few months at night, when her implants are off and she can't hear, that she voices her fears and sometimes calls outto her parents.

Jayden loves to draw colourful pictures, write in her notebook and get lost in books. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

"Sometimes it's just a question am I ever going to be able to drive?" said Belinda."Sometimes it's just I'm scared I'm going blind and not going to be able to do things other kids can do. Sometimes it's just needing an extra hug."

Since Jayden can't hear at night, her parents write back and forth to her on an erasable dry board. Message after message, they calm her fears.

No matter what happens next, Jayden's family wants her to keep positive.

"She's always going to be surrounded by love no matter what," said Belinda. "We have lots of dreams for her and those dreams haven't changed.

"She's been through a lot and keeps smiling. She has a lot going for her no matter what happens."

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Ottawa girl, facing vision loss, to take in the City of Light - CBC.ca

What do solar cells and blindness have in common?

Rasmus Schmidt Davidsen, a post-doctoral researcher at Danish Technical University (DTU), hopes to develop an implant containing thousands of small isolated solar cells thatcan be placed behind the retina of blind patients to give them their sight back.

There are over 2 million people worldwide who are blind because the photoreceptors in their eyes dont work properly. The function of photoreceptors is to absorb light and send electronic impulses to the brain. When the patient doesnt receive these impulses, he or she experiences blindness.

READ ALSO: The Danish app that lends eyes to the blind

Davidsen explained that the eyes photoreceptors behave very much like solar cells, so the team got the idea that they could use some of the expertise that he has from the field of solar cells to make a chip for blind people. Each solar cell would be the equivalent of 1 pixel in the artificial vision they are trying to create.

Getting enough light One of the first challenges is to get enough power from natural light.

Even the best solar cells are unable to generate enough power based on natural light, saidDavidsen.

We are also limited to an area of 3 x 3 millimetres into whichthe surgeon can insert the chip. We cant even use the entire area because there also has to be electrodes and holes so that tissue fluids can flow freely into the eye.

The light problem has fortunately been solved by other researchers who found that, for example, the light source can be installed in glasses such as those used in Google Glass.

At the moment, the team are working with fresh eye tissue from pigs supplied by Danish Crown. At the moment, were working on the first prototype implant. Time will tell whether it will be possible to detect a reaction from the nerve cells from the pigs eyes.

A promising but challenging project A senior doctor and clinical professor at the eye department of Aarhus University Hospital, Toke Bek, who is co-operating with DTU, has high hopes for the project but can also see many challenges ahead.

One of them is biocomplexity. It is quite likely that the tissue will reject foreign bodies, especially in the eye. But nano-technicians can make an implant that can be encapsulated into material that the tissue cant easily reject. And they can make it very small.

He added that the solar cells are able to make use of nearly 100 percent of the light.

All in all, it makes sense to continue work on the project. There are considerable advantages working in co-operation with DTU, Bek added.

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Danish project really may give eyesight to the blind - The Copenhagen Post - Danish news in english

Perkasie, Pa. (WTXF) - A local boy with an eye disease needs help getting a device to see.

13-year old Andrew Lowe or AJ is what he likes to be called, is like many teens. He enjoys watching TV, playing card games and he likes sports.

I dropped in on him at a wrestling club in Hilltown where he goes during the off season when he's not wrestling for his school team. He revealed to me why over the past two years he's developed a passion for wrestling.

"It's pretty much the one sport I can do. It's a close up sport," he said. AJ's eyesight is the reason he's limited in many areas not just sports. His mom Julie explains.

"Just being able to say hi to people walking down the hall, by the time he can probably recognize your face, you're already walking by him. We'll send him to the kitchen to find the bananas and he'll be in there five minutes looking around," she said. Thats because AJ has Stargardt disease. Its a kind of juvenile macular degeneration. It's progressive and will eventually completely take away his central vision and there's no cure. Greg Lowe says his son was diagnosed three years ago.

"Imagine not being able to see anything in the center of your vision where you have just blank spots or scratchy film over everything you see. Like looking through a lace curtain. How difficult that must be," said AJs father. But now there's hope through E-sight. Its a device that gives some sight to certain people who are legally blind. An E-sight rep came to AJs house for him to try it out. His mother gets emotional talking about the moment they realized it worked for him.

"My husband was sitting across the table and Andrew saw Greg and a smile crossed his face and he said I can see you dad. Im sorry, said Julie as she teared up. AJ says, It was surprising that I could actually see my parents face which I haven't seen in like four years and it was very nice. I could actually read some books.

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Local boy with eye disease needs help getting device to see - FOX 29 News Philadelphia

From Trussville Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM VisionFirst Eye Center has raised more than $5,000 through a LASIK promotion. VisionFirst donated $50.00 per patient that had LASIK since January to December of 2016. The proceeds will be donated to Sight Savers America which is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive eye care and services at no charge for under-served children in Alabama. The donations received by Sight Savers America will be used to provide two life-changing Electronic Video Magnifiers (EVMs) for children with severe visual impairment. EVMs will open the world to these children by allowing them to magnify images up to 131X and read, write and do homework unassisted.

On Friday, May 12th at 3:30pm two children, ages 5 and 13 and their families will receive training on their new EVM, which they will take home with them that day. The presentation will take place at VisionFirst Eye Center at their Lakeshore location.

Sight Savers America is very appreciative that VisionFirst has chosen to make a huge impact on children with severe visual impairment. These children are at a big disadvantage in school and life because of their eye condition, but an EVM can level the playing field for these kids Jeff Haddox, CEO and Founder of Sight Savers America, said.

We at VisionFirst are excited to be partnering again with Sight Savers America Dr. Mark Bearman, an ophthalmologist at VisionFirst Eye Center, said. We are happy about making a difference in a childs vision through Sight Savers. This is our fourth year to team up with Sight Savers America in helping children with vision needs. We intend to continue our relationship and we find it very fulfilling.

Since 1997, VisionFirst has offered a range of medical, surgical, and optical services including routine eye care, iLASIK and laser cataract surgery at four locations in Alabaster, Homewood, Pell City and Trussville. For more information, or to schedule an eye appointment, please contact 205-949-2020. http://www.visionfirsteyecenter.com

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VisionFirst donates $5000 to Sight Savers America for children's eye care - Trussvilletribune

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The revolutionary therapy involves placing a gene into the eye to combat wet age related macular degeneration (AMD).

It could lead to reducing patients' visits to surgeries - and preserving their vision in the long term.

About 600,000 Britons suffer from AMD which comes in two forms, wet and dry. The former is rarer, but much more serious, damaging sight in a much shorter time scale.

The disease is marked by growth of abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid into the centre of the retina, called the macula, which we use for reading, driving and recognising faces.

The therapeuticgene is carried into the eye by a harmless virus similar to the common cold, penetrating retinal cells and turning them into factories producing proteins called sFLT01.

These attack the molecule VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) that boost the growth of the abnormal blood vessels that trigger wet AMD.

Professor Peter Campochiaro, of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, said: This preliminary study is a small but promising step towards a new approach that will not only reduce doctor visits and the anxiety and discomfort associated with repeated injections in the eye, but may improve long-term outcomes because prolonged suppression of VEGF is needed to preserve vision, and that is difficult to achieve with repeated injections because life often gets in the way.

The study of 19 men and women with advanced wet AMD who were 50 years or older found the treatment was safe and may be effective for saving vision.

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Even at the highest dose, the treatment was quite safe

Professor Peter Campochiaro

It was described in The Lancet as an exciting new approach. Current treatments require injections of proteins directly into the eye that inactivate VEGF, reducing fluid in the macula and improving vision.

But they exit the eye over the course of a month, so patients usually need to return to the clinic for more injections every six to eight weeks in order to stave off vision loss.

Eye specialists say the burden and discomfort is responsible for many patients not getting injections as frequently as they need, causing vision loss.

Viruses naturally penetrate cells and leave behind genetic material, so the researchers designed their's to target retinal cells and provide them with a gene that produces sFLT01.

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They become factories that produce the therapeutic protein - potentially eliminating the need to repeatedly inject it.

The participants were divided into five different groups that received increasing doses. They were examined for signs of adverse reactions for at least four weeks before administering a higher amount.

After the virus deposited the gene, the cells began secreting sFLT01 which bound to VEGF and prevented it from stimulating leakage and growth of abnormal blood vessels.

The goal is for the retinal cells infected by the virus to produce enough sFLT01 to stop permanently the progression of AMD.

After monitoring the first three groups and finding no dose-limiting toxicity, the researchers administered the maximum dose to a group of ten participants and observed no serious side effects.

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Prof Campochiaro said: Even at the highest dose, the treatment was quite safe. We found there were almost no adverse reactions in our patients.

For safety and ethical reasons, the study group was composed of people for whom standard approved treatments were highly unlikely to regain vision, meaning in part that only 11 of the 19 had the potential for fluid reduction

Of those eleven patients, four showed dramatic improvements. The amount of fluid in their eyes dropped from severe to almost nothing, just like what is observed with optimal standard treatment.

In addition, two other participants showed a partial reduction in the amount of fluid in their eyes, added Prof Campochiaro.

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Five participants showed no reduction in fluid levels, all of whom had pre-existing antibodies to the common cold virus AV2 (adeno-associated virus 2).

From that result, the researchers conclude even if further studies affirm the safety and value of their gene therapy, it may have limitations for broad use.

An estimated six in ten people have been infected with adeno-associated virus, the family of viruses that AAV2 belongs to, and have built an immunity to it.

In these patients, it is believed the immune system destroyed the virus before it could insert the therapeutic gene.

Explained Prof Campochiaro: The numbers are small and simply show a correlation, so we don't know if serum antibodies are definitely an impediment, but more work is needed to determine this.

AMD causes fading vision in the middle or later years of life. It is most common after 60 but can happen earlier. It is also the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world.

Dame Judi Dench revealed in 2012 that she was suffering from AMD and was struggling to read film scripts or recognise faces.

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Blind treatment: New therapy could stop THOUSANDS from losing their sight - Express.co.uk

MELBOURNE: Parents, take note! Undetected eye problems may adversely affect your child's ongoing learning, says scientists who found that students with poor vision had lower academic scores.

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia found that 30 per cent of students tested had uncorrected eye problems that could affect their academic performances.

The children referred for further optometric examination had significantly lower scores in reading, spelling, numeracy, grammar and punctuation tests.

''Children's eyes need to be tested early in primary school and throughout schooling to ensure they can fully engage with the visual aspects of classroom learning,'' said Sonia White, senior research fellow at QUT.

White said vision screening and assessment was not currently mandated prior to children commencing school, which may mean that some of the children will have vision and visual processing difficulties that remain undetected by parents and teachers.

Along with vision assessment, children completed a range of near vision learning tasks, such as reading and mathematics, while eye tracking was used to examine specific visual processing behaviours underlying these activities.

''The aim is to level the playing field in terms of vision and provide every opportunity for learning and academic achievement for children in school and later life,'' said Joanne Wood, from QUT.

The study was published in the International Journal of Education Research.

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Is your child getting low grades? It could be due to poor vision - Economic Times

How can you protect your eyesight?

According to the National Institute on Aging, now is a good time to have your eyes checked. This is the time of year when we start spending more time outdoors and the outside elements can affect our eye health as well as age.

Some changes are more serious than others but there are things you can do to protect your vision. Have your eyes checked regularly by an eye care professional either an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

People over age 60 should have dilated eye exams yearly. During this exam, the eye care professional will put drops in your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils so that he or she can look at the back of each eye.

This is the only way to find some common eye diseases that have no early signs or symptoms.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, your prescription should be checked, too. See your doctor regularly to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases can cause eye problems if not controlled or treated.

Q: I live alone and I need to update my supplies in case of a storm. Where can I find a good list?

Answer: Actually, May 7-13 was National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30. Below are some tips from the National Weather Service.

Be sure to gather the following items to ensure your basic comfort and well-being in case of evacuation.

These are some suggestions on staying safe during a hurricane, tornado or severe storm:

Emergencies can result from severe weather or they can be the result of a man-made disaster. These situations always occur when least expected. Preparing ahead of time for the unexpected can limit the amount of stress a person experiences when dealing with a disastrous situation, particularly when an elderly loved one is involved.

AgeWise is a weekly column compiled by information specialists of Senior Services Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Winston-Salem. If you have a question, email agewise@ seniorservicesinc.org or mail to Senior Services, 2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

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AgeWise: Protecting your eyesight - Winston-Salem Journal

Great Falls Tribune 4:48 p.m. MT May 15, 2017

Jevon Boudreaux, Regional Manager at SightLife, presents at the Vision Award to Vickie Hatzenbeller, director of nursing for the Progressive Cardio Vascular Unit at Benefis Health System, and Terry Olinger, president of the Benefis Acute Care Group.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Benefis Health System received the 2017 Vision Award from SightLife, a global health organization and eye bank solely focused on eliminating corneal blindness in the U.S. and around the world. Benefis partners with SightLife for cornea donations from patients who opt to be an organ and tissue donor. The cornea is the clear part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil and lets light in to permit sight.

Last year, Benefis patients, families, and employees were able to help 86 people regain vision or see for the first time. In addition to supporting cornea donations in partnership with SightLife, Benefis supports patients wishes to be organ and tissue donors through a partnership with LifeCenter Northwest.

One donor can help more than 150 people, whether it be through corneal transplants or transplants of life-critical organs, such as kidneys or a heart, said Vickie Hatzenbeller, Director of Nursing for the Progressive Cardio Vascular Unit (PCVU) at Benefis Health System. In addition to her current role in the PCVU, Hatzenbeller has led Benefis organ and tissue donation education and coordination efforts for many years.

The gift of sight or the gift of life is just an incredible gift to give, says Hatzenbeller. Many families find comfort in knowing that their loved ones legacy lives on in helping others. We have a wonderful, dedicated team at Benefis that helps to make this possible. It has been a true honor to work with our donors, families, SightLife, and all of our employees who have helped change the lives of others.

This award is not just about the numbers, said Jevon Boudreaux, regional manager at SightLife. This award is about the care that you have for your families here, the way you take care of your patients and your staff in making sure they know how important this gift is.

Corneal transplants are performed routinely, with more than 42,000 in the United State each year.

We are truly honored to receive this award, especially as we celebrate Donate Life Month in April. The generous spirit of our community continues to amaze us, said Terry Olinger, president of the Benefis Acute Care Group.

Founded in 1969, SightLife is a global health organization and eye bank solely focused on eliminated corneal blindness in the U.S. and around the world.

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Benefis receives 2017 Vision Award for helping give the gift of sight through donation - Great Falls Tribune

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A recent breakthrough by British scientists, which could lead to much earlier detection of glaucoma and other eye conditions, offers new hope.

But the discovery also underlines how slowly and silently eye disease develops, as it pinpoints signs of damage up to a decade before anything can be detected with existing tests.

Professor Francesca Cordeiro, from University College London, explains: We have been able to identify sick nerve cells at the back of the eye which will go on to cause the vision loss you get with glaucoma. They are a very early warning sign of what is going to happen.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People estimates that at least 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable but many common eye issues including glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinopathy are not detected until it is too late.

Yet a new study for eye care specialists Bausch & Lomb found that almost nine out of 10 of those questioned were not aware of the risk and did not realise that eye disease often develops without any symptoms.

Optometrist Francesca Marchetti, an optical expert from eye care advisory panel WINK, says: With more of us living for longer, it has never been more important to proactively protect your eyesight.

Diet, lifestyle and family history have a big impact on our risk of eye disease and Francesca says: We cant choose our genes, but we can all make nutrition and lifestyle choices which will help insure against eye problems. It is like playing a game of cards you may not have been dealt the best hand but playing it intelligently can turn it into a better one.

Proven trump cards are vitamins C and E, the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, while jokers to beware of include smoking, obesity and excess sunshine.

Francesca explains how these different risk factors can play out and how to protect against problems.

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AMD

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the UK and it is estimated that one in 10 people over the age of 65 has some degree of AMD.

However the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found those at highest risk because of their family history can dramatically reduce their odds of AMD by taking a specific combination of vitamins C and E, zinc and the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.

Francesca says: We are talking very high levels of very specific nutrients, which cannot be obtained from a healthy diet or a standard multivitamin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are important because they are both found in high concentrations in the macula, which is responsible for central high-resolution vision.

Leafy greens are a good source, but you would need to eat more than three cups of raw spinach a day to get the amount used in the AREDS formulation.

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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

The leading cause of preventable sight loss among working-age Britons.

Most people with Type 1 diabetes will have some degree of retinopathy within 20 years of diagnosis and two out of three people with Type 2 are affected.

Francesca says: Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. It can still be treated in the early stages but there are no symptoms, so regular eye examinations are crucial.

A recent study found a daily intake of 500mg of omega-3 reduces the risk of retinopathy in middle-aged and older people with diabetes by 46 per cent.

However the National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows our consumption of oily fish, the richest food source of omega-3, is well below the recommended two portions a week.

Francesca advises: If you have diabetes, or your weight puts you at risk, increasing your intake of omega-3 is a wise move.

GLAUCOMA

This occurs when increased pressure within the eyeball damages the optic nerve but sufferers can lose 90 per cent of their optic nerve before realising there is a problem.

It becomes more common with age and diabetes or a family history increase the risk.

Low levels of omega-3 have been linked to increased intraocular pressure and studies have shown supplementation reduces pressure in the eyeball.

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PRESBYOPIA

Refractive errors, such as long or short-sight and presbyopia, are caused by a problem with the curvature of the cornea or lens, resulting in blurred vision.

Francesca says: Presbyopia usually begins around the age of 40 but alcohol, poor diet and too much sun increase the chance of developing problems.

CATARACTS

These occur when the lens becomes cloudy and opaque.

Most people over the age of 65 have some impairment but poor diet, too much sun, diabetes, smoking and sun damage can all add to the risk.

Francesca says: Damage to the lens is caused by oxidation, so antioxidants can provide an important insurance policy. Studies have shown that higher intakes of vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk."

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SUNGLASSES

Good sunglasses are a must but theres no need to spend a fortune on designer shades. Budget brands with a CE mark will provide all the protection you need, says Francesca A study found regular activity at least three times a week reduces the risk of sight problems.

But Francesca says: The most effective insurance is an ocular supplement, such as Ocuvite (16.50 for 60 capsules, Boots), which provides high levels of vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc, and omega-3 essential fatty acids.

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Stay trim and eat those greens to save your sight - Express.co.uk

The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from vision loss.

About one-in-six adults 45 years and older have some type of sight-threatening eye condition. But could you turn back the clock when it comes to your eyes?

Theyre smaller than the size of a gumball, but your eyes play a big role in helping you navigate the world around you. Protect them from aging! First, try exercise. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by up to 70%. Also, shield your eyes from the sun to keep them young.

Over time, UV light from the sun can cause cataract formations, so wearing sunglasses, I think, is very important," says Arsham Sheybani, M.D. Ophthalmologist from Washington University of St. Louis.

Only buy a pair that blocks 100% of UV rays. Next, put down that cigarette. Current and former smokers have up to four-times the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Smoking also ups your chance of cataracts and uveitis.

The right foods can keep your eyes young as well.

One of the other things you can consider is actually green leafy vegetables for macular degeneration, Sheybani explains.

Lastly, consider taking supplements. A national eye institute study showed supplements with vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, copper, and zinc slowed the progression of macular degeneration in high-risk patients.

Another important way to protect your eyes is to schedule regular eye exams. If you have a vision problem, an early diagnosis could lead to treatment that can save your sight.

Research Summary

5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM AGING REPORT #2422

BACKGROUND: Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 60. It happens when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, deteriorates. There are two types of macular degeneration: dry form and wet form. The "dry" form is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. The "wet" form is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing distortion of vision that makes straight lines look wavy, as well as blind spots and loss of central vision. There are not always symptoms in the early stage of macular degeneration, but over time you will notice a change in your quality of vision, and eventually a dramatic loss of central vision. A doctor can determine if you have macular degeneration by looking for tiny yellow deposits under the retina. (Source: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/age-related-macular-degeneration-symptoms)

TIPS FOR HEALTHY EYES: By age 65, one in three Americans have some form of vision-impairing eye disease; macular degeneration being one of the main diseases. Fortunately there are lifestyle changes that can be made for healthier eyes. Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams, because your eye doctor is the only one who can tell if you have an issue that is not displaying symptoms yet and they can offer help before its too late. Know your familys health history and if they have any hereditary diseases. Eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach or kale. Being overweight increases your risk of developing a number of conditions that lead to vision loss, so maintaining a healthy weight is key. When buying sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. And if there are not enough reasons to quit smoking already, smokers have up to four times the risk of developing macular degeneration, so put away the cigarettes. (Source: https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips)

SUPPLEMENTS: Along with living a healthy lifestyle, you can also take supplements that are said to be good for your eyes. Two of the most influential studies of the benefits of eye supplements are the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) and AREDS2 studies sponsored by the National Eye Institute. Results of the original AREDS showed that the antioxidant multivitamin used in the study reduced the risk of macular degeneration progression to advanced stages among people at high risk of vision loss by about 25 percent. The multivitamin supplement contained beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper. (Source: http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/supplements.htm)

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Five ways to prevent age-related vision loss - WNDU-TV

Allahabad, (Uttar Pradesh), [India], May 14 ANI: In yet another case of corporal punishment, a Class XII student of St. Joseph's School, Allahabad became the victim of brutality of the worst kind.

Serven Terence (14), lost vision in his right eye allegedly because he was caned by the vice-principle for standing in the morning assembly with his school bag on.

Initially the student was being treated in Allahabad, but now is in Lucknow.

The family of the victim registered the First Information Report (FIR) in the regard on last Friday against the accused in the Civil Lines police station in the city.

On May 9, Terence went to school and stood in the morning assembly with his bag on, spotting which vice-principal Leslie Cotino started canning him with a baton and amid the act the baton struck his right eye which started bleeding.

He was rushed to the hospital in Allahabad, from where he was sent to Lucknow where it was informed that Terence has lost vision in his right eye.

Serven, who is the lone child of his parents, will undergo surgery in a month.

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into the matter. (ANI)

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Corporal horror: Student loses eyesight after getting canned by vice-principal - Yahoo India News

If you have glasses or contact lenses, your prescription is likely a baffling list of numbers and acronyms. Blame Ferdinand Monoyer.

The French ophthalmologist, born on this date (May 9) in 1836, was responsible for the diopter the unit of measurement we use to assess lenses and vision as well as modern-day eye charts seen in many opticians across the globe.

On what would have been his 181st birthday, Google has designed an animated Google Doodle to honour the anniversary. The Doodle features a pair of eyes on the left, which form the 'O's in the word Google, alongside an eye chart on the right. As the eyes squint, the letters on the right become blurred. Monoyer's signature is also hidden in the chart.

Although not the first to create an eye chart for ophthalmology Germany's Heinrich Kchler is widely accepted as the first to create a chart in 1836 using figures cut from calendars, books, and newspapers glued in rows of decreasing sizes Monoyer's legacy has been the one that has lasted the longest.

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Building on the work of Kchler, as well as the visual acuity chart design of Herman Snellen from 1862 used commonly in the US, Monoyer developed his chart to run alongside a visual acuity measurement known as the diopter. The diopter measures the distance you'd have to be from text to read it.

The Snellen Eye Chart was invented as a way to improve the subjective nature of vision testing and involved patients reading passages of text held their hands or held at a distance by the doctor. This test was dependent, however, upon the reading ability of the patient, typeface, and the fact the patient could guess the next word by reading a sentence. So he switched to letters.

Characters on the first Snellen Charts included: A, C, E, G, L, N, P, R, T, 5, V, Z, B, D, 4, F, H, K, O, S, 3, U, Y, A, C, E, G and L, and were Egyptian Paragons or slab serifs of contrasting line thickness with cross strokes on terminals.

Specsavers

Monoyer, who ran an ophthalmic clinic at the hospital in Nancy, France, took this initial idea and used it to introduce the first test-types corresponding to a decimal system in 1875. He selected his font style on a letter-by-letter basis because he didn't feel there was a need to select the same linear dimensions in every case. For example, a letter H that is as wide as it is high can look too drawn out, and he believed that if you're going to judge a person's vision by it, that letter needed to be as legible as possible.

In Monoyer's charts, every row represents a different diopter, from smallest to largest. A diopter indicates how powerful a lens is in order to properly focus light on a persons retina. It is officially defined as being the inverse of a persons focal length in metres.

A shortsighted person with a 1.00 diopter lens can see objects at one metre clearly before they become blurred. Similarly, someone with a 2.00 diopter measurement needs a lens that's twice as powerful, meaning they can only see objects up to a 1/2 metre away clearly. A 3.00 lens would mean the person can only see a distance of up to 1/3 of a metre clearly, and so on. Most nearsighted people are in the range of -1.50 to -7.00 diopters.

Alternatively, longsighted people who need a +1.00 diopter lens can see objects at one metre clearly, but anything closer than that is blurred.

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Ferdinand Monoyer is the reason your eyesight is measured in decimals - Wired.co.uk

Image for representational purpose only.

ALLAHABAD: In yet another case of corporal punishment, a Class XII student of St. Joseph's School, Allahabad became the victim of brutality of the worst kind.

Serven Terence (14), lost vision in his right eye allegedly because he was caned by the vice-principle for standing in the morning assembly with his school bag on. Initially the student was being treated in Allahabad, but now is in Lucknow. The family of the victim registered the First Information Report (FIR) in the regard on last Friday against the accused in the Civil Lines police station in the city. On May 9, Terence went to school and stood in the morning assembly with his bag on, spotting which vice-principal Leslie Cotino started canning him with a baton and amid the act the baton struck his right eye which started bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital in Allahabad, from where he was sent to Lucknow where it was informed that Terence has lost vision in his right eye. Serven, who is the lone child of his parents, will undergo surgery in a month. Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into the matter.

Excerpt from:
UP Student loses eyesight after getting caned by vice-principal - The New Indian Express

A recently approved eye treatment offers a safe, long-term solution for that very annoying problem of aging: the inability to read close-up.

The condition, called presbyopia (which literally means old eye in Greek) happens to nearly everyone and usually hits sometime after age 40. Youll find yourself squinting to read menus or whipping out glasses to check your iPhone.

Approved last June by the FDA, the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay is a permanent, implantable device that restores close-up vision.

It allows you to turn back the clock, said Dr. Steven Stetson, the medical director ofDiamond Vision, who became certified to implant the inlay last fall.

Dr. Stetson

He said the treatment is allowing people in their 40s, 50s, and sometimes even 60s to read without glasses.

The Raindrop inlay is only the second permanent, implantable lens approved in the United States. Dr. Stetson, who is also certified to implant theotherFDA-approved inlay, called the KAMRA, said that it depends on each individual which inlay treatment works best.

For some, the Raindrop may perform better in dimmer light conditions, since it does not block any light to function, said Dr. Stetson. However, since the KAMRA inlay is placed in a small pocket instead of under a larger flap, patients may not need to take eye drops for as long afterward as with the Raindrop. Each patient is different and may heal at different rates, he added.

For both types, only one inlay, implanted in the non-dominant eye,is enough to correct vision.

Dr. Stetson said data from Europe, where these inlays have been in use for more than five years, indicate that vision improvement after the treatment is long-term.

Dr. Steven Stetson holds the Femtosecond laser and demonstrates how a patient would be positioned during the KAMRA inlay procedure in his office at Diamond Vision in New York on Aug. 26, 2016. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

The Raindrop corrects vision by changing the slope of the eye.

It makes the central cornea steeperprofocal, kind of like a hawk eye or like eagle eye, Dr. Stetson said.

The Raindrop looks like a small, clear contact lens and is made of a similar hydrogel material, he said.

It is implanted about a third of the way into the cornea, directly over the pupil. The inlay is a relatively thick compared to the thickness of the cornea, so when it is implanted it changes the curvature of the middle of the cornea, Dr. Stetson said.

The steeper slope allows people to focus more easily on nearby objects but because the inlay is small, the periphery of the cornea is unchanged and can still focus at a distance.

The other inlay, the KAMRA, corrects vision with a very different principle. The much thinner device (only 6 microns thick) is a dark brown color with a pinhole in the center. Light passing through the pinhole is focused when it hits the retina. This focus is necessary to see objects close up.

Young eyes have soft, flexible lenses, but with presbyopia, the lens becomes stiff and less able to focus on close images. The KAMRA inlay eliminates the need for the lens to focus because light passing through the pinhole is already focused.

Dr. Stetson said a big part of the reason these inlays are so successful is because doctors offer them to the right patients. He wont put the inlay in a person he does not think is a good candidate.

An employee in his Georgia office once flew to Manhattan with her husband so they could both get an inlay. But it turned out only her husband was a suitable candidate.

She was very heartbroken about that, but I think shes forgiven me, Dr. Stetson said.

The Raindrop is licensed for people 41 to 65 years old who have not undergonecataract surgery or aPRK (photorefractive keratectomy). This is because with PRK the layer just beneath the surface is disrupted and can change how the surface cells remodel, reducing the effect of the Raindrop, Dr. Stetson explained.

The KAMRA, approved for 45- to 60-year-olds, is more versatile because its smaller size does not change the shape of the cornea, and it is placed deeper in the cornea.

For both inlays, the procedure to implant them is very simple and very easy for the patient, Dr. Stetson said.

The surgeon uses a laser to cut a very precise flap in the cornea then slips the device into place. The operation takes only 10 to 15 minutes.

Side effects are minimal, but proper pre- and post-op care is essential. Patients with a history of dry eyes should seek treatment for the condition beforehand.

Diamond Vision clinics have an array of laser, LASIK, and dry eye treatments that will prepare eyes for an inlay. Afterward, patients generally need to use anti-inflammatory eye drops for two to three months.

And while it may take up to three weeks to regain distance vision in the operated eye, many patients can read again shortly after surgery.

Near vision usually comes back quickly. In many patients, its within a few days, Dr. Stetson said.

Diamond Vision Manhattan Location 15 W. 44th St., Ninth Floor 212-838-2020 DiamondVision.com

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Restore Your Eagle Eyesight - The Epoch Times

When her seven-year-old daughter, Zoe, struggled to keep up with school work, Mrs Michelle Clarke scheduled an appointment to have her eyes checked.

The 36-year-old stay-at-home mum said: "Zoe was below average in class, and she was having a lot of trouble reading and writing. For instance, she would mix up her 'b's and 'd's. She did not like to learn at all.

"Her teacher highlighted that she was squinting a lot in class and felt she had some eye problems that were affecting her learning."

Mention poor grades and, more often than not, learning disorders such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder come to mind.

But what does your little one's vision have to do with those persistent Band 3 or 4 scores?

Plenty, it seems. Vision and learning are closely related.

For children to reach their full academic potential, good vision is important, said Mr Yap Tiong Peng, a senior consultant optometrist trained in behavioural optometry at Igard Group Singapore. He has 18 years of clinical and research experience.

Behavioural optometrists look at how the eyes and brain function as they process visual information and how that may affect development in children.

Studies showed that nearly half of the children who struggle to read and learn in school complain of vision-related issues, Mr Yap explained.

Optometrist Titus Wu of Titus Eye Care, who has been in practice for nine years, estimated that as many as one in four children he sees in his practice may have learning difficulties linked to their vision woes, which are mostly due to undetected myopia and binocular vision-related issues.

Binocular vision refers to the ability to process information when both eyes work together at the same time.

This is as important as having clear vision in each individual eye, Mr Wu said.

Senior consultant optometrist Rachel Kelly of Igard explained that if your eyes do not coordinate well, for instance, you may have trouble reading or maintaining focus on an object.

Children with such vision woes tend to feel fatigued and have headaches when reading and studying.

They may also skip small words when reading, reread sentences and insert words that do not exist in the text, said Ms Kelly.

She added: "The child may appear inattentive in class, avoid reading and studying, make careless mistakes and have difficulty completing assignments.

"Sometimes, the symptoms show up only intermittently when the child has to read a larger volume of text, especially when running up to the school examinations."

As such, it is not unusual for parents and teachers to dismiss the child's complaints as a behavioural issue when he may be struggling with poor vision.

A common misconception parents have is that their kid has perfect vision that allows him to read and write well just because he had aced his cursory eyesight test during school check-ups, said the optometrists.

Mr Wu reckoned that about 15 per cent of children who pass a vision screening test actually have a vision problem that requires intervention.

In Singapore, the Health Promotion Board conducts yearly eye tests for pre-schoolers.

Routine eye checks are also conducted in primary school.

The screening test involves reading off an eye chart from a distance to check for myopia.

Children also undergo three-dimensional vision tests to screen for squint and other conditions.

Mr Yap said that while these routine vision screenings pick up refractive errors such as myopia, they may not detect other vision problems that can hinder learning.

Sometimes, the more subtle symptoms may also elude some eye-care professionals using standard eye examinations, he added.

In Zoe's case, she was found to be suffering from an alignment problem of the eyes, which gave her double vision and affected her ability to focus.

Her optometrist prescribed bifocal spectacles to alleviate some symptoms, and Zoe underwent thrice-weekly vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a set of techniques used by optometrists to improve a person's vision and the way they process what they see.

Depending on the specific problem, the intervention programme may involve the use of eye exercises and devices such as lenses, prisms and coloured filters.

"The aim of the treatment is to allow the child to gain control of his binocular vision by encouraging the two eyes to work together properly and for the whole visual system to work efficiently," said Mr Yap, who was part of the team that treated Zoe's vision problems.

Children who have problems with convergence and accommodation - these help us to see near and far objects clearly without double images - tend to have high success rates using vision therapy, with over 90 per cent seen at Igard resolving their vision problems and symptoms within a few months of therapy, Mr Yap shared.

But adjunct associate professor Audrey Chia, deputy head of the paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus department at Singapore National Eye Centre, cautioned: Be sure to have a healthy dose of scepticism before buying into treatment options not backed by strong scientific evidence.

"Some parents seeking a second opinion come into the clinic with a five-page report on what is wrong with their child's vision.

"But when we examine the child, they do not have any pressing problems," said Prof Chia, who also heads the eye clinic at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

While it is important to ensure that a child has no major eye issues, over-diagnosis can be a double-edged sword.

Prof Chia said: "When you do 101 tests, you are bound to find something wrong. The question is, will the child's learning really improve even when you try to resolve that one problem?

"Even when symptoms seem to go away after doing eye exercises, what might have really improved might be the child's mental capacity to cope with learning over time."

Prof Chia urged parents not to lose sight of what is most important for their child.

"Many of these programmes often make parents feel like they are doing something for their child," she said.

But whether they are needed or whether a kid's learning could benefit equally from quality time spent with their parents is debatable.

"Sometimes, we need to accept that our child will have strengths and weaknesses. No one is perfect," Prof Chia said.

This article is adapted from Young Parents magazine (www.youngparents.com.sg)

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When bad eyesight causes bad grades - The New Paper

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Dr. Glaser of Clemson Eye performs a regular eye exam on a female patient. | Photo Provided.

Women are more likely to have eye-related diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Nearly two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment occurs in women, and women make up the majority of the 4.4 million Americans age 40 and older who are blind or visually impaired. About 64% of the patients Clemson Eye sees on an annual basis are women.

You may be busy, on the go, and caring for your family, but it is important that you make the time to take care of you.

Here are five important steps to protect your sight.

Get a dilated eye exam. Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best way to know if your eyes are healthy and you are seeing your best. The sooner aneye-related issues is detected, the sooner it canbe treated.

Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions, and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease. Youve heard carrots are good for your eyes, but eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.

Know your family history. Talk to your family members including parents, grandparents, aunts, and unclesabout their eye health history. Its important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease, since many diseases are hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease yourself.

Use protective eyewear. Protect your eyes when doing chores around the house, playing sports, or on the job to prevent eye injuries from happening. This includes wearing safety glasses, goggles, safety shields, and eye guards that are made of polycarbonate. Eyewear should sit comfortably on the face, so talk to your eye care provider about the appropriate type of protective eyewear for your sport or job. Make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times, and encourage your teammates and coworkers to do the same.

Wear sunglasses. Wear sunglasses outside to protect your eyes from the suns ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your eyes healthy. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can increase your risk for getting an eye disease like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. A wide-brimmed hat offers great protection, too! These steps can help you keep your eyes healthy and prevent vision loss and blindness from eye disease.

***

Courtney Mitchell is the marketing manager for Clemson Eye, P.A.

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Your annual reminder to get your vision checked - Greenville Journal

Maurice DeMay practices eye exercises as part of his recovery (WHAM photo)

For people who've gone partially blind after a stroke, a local scientist is helping patients re-train their brain to see again.

As black dots on the right side of his computer screen wiggle, Maurice DeMay focuses on the steady, small black dot in the middle of the screen.

You gotta concentrate on the center dot, and that's the hard part sometimes, is focusing on that dot, DeMay explained.

He presses the arrows on the keypad for each set of moving black dots.

Left or right. Whatever the stimulus is doing. It could be going up or down, could be going sideways, he said.

A beep tells him if he's correct. We do this, 300 times at a time. I'm doing pretty good right now," he said.

A stroke stole his vision. Five years of eye therapy is starting to bring it back.

It was devastating when it happened. I'm blind on my right side, he continued.

When DeMay first started Dr. Krystel Huxlin's therapy, he could only see half of these moving dots.

Dr. Huxlin says DeMay's eyes and parts of the brain that handle vision were still working. It was just a matter of re-training them.

We are trying to make the blind parts of the visual field see again, Dr. Huxlin said. Which means we have to present a visual stimulus to the blind parts of the visual field and ask the person to tell us what that stimulus is doing.

After five years, Maurice is literally seeing results.

I made up my mind when I started the program, I was going to follow through with it and do the best I could, DeMay said.

Today, he sees the dots move in the correct direction, almost 100% of the time. But he still has some frustrating moments with his blind spots.

I'll set something down," he said. "I'll be working on it, then I can't find it, because it might be over to my right side, and I'll be looking in my blind spot. After a while you forget you have this blind field.

I've learned to accept it, he continued. "By accepting it, you learn to work with what you have and enjoy what you have, and I do. I enjoy what sight I have left, and I'm gonna make the best of it. We're quite fragile, and I do not to take everything for granted anymore.

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Eye therapy gives sight back to stroke survivors - 13WHAM-TV

In BriefA researcher in the U.K. has developed the world's firstsynthetic, soft tissue retina. Because it doesn't contain any hardmaterials, the device should be able to bypass many of the problemsposed by current mechanical implants. Easy on the Eyes

Anyone whos ever had a stray eyelash or a piece of dust land in their eye can attest to the pain even the tiniest foreign object can cause. While this sensitivity is essential for keeping our eyes in working order, it can also be a problem for those with retinal implants.

The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that plays an important role in sight, and damage to it can lead to blindness. For the past few years, retinal implants have been restoring vision for patients with such problems, but those implants have all been mechanical devices, which can wreak havoc on already damaged eyes.

The human eye is incredibly sensitive, which is why foreign bodies like metal retinal implants can be so damaging, leading to inflammation and/or scarring, University of Oxford researcher Vanessa Restrepo-Schild explained in a university news release. To that end, she led a team in creating the worlds first synthetic, soft tissue retina.

The team used lab-created biological tissue for its artificial retina, and because it doesnt incorporate any rigid foreign materials, the device is less likely to cause problems once implanted. A biological synthetic implant is soft and water-based, so much more friendly to the eye environment, explained Restrepo-Schild.

So far, the team has only tested its implant in a lab environment, so the next steps are testing it with living tissues and expanding on its functionality. Restrepo-Schild is optimistic about the future practical uses of her creation: I hope my research is the first step in a journey towards building technology that is soft and biodegradable instead of hard and wasteful.

An estimated 39 million people worldwide are blind, and the Oxford team is just one of many developing bionic eyes to help them regain their vision.

Right now, the only bionic implant approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States is Second Sights Argus II. That system requires the implantation of a device comprising an antenna, an electronics case, and an electrode array on the patients eye. That implant works in conjunction with a pair of glasses, a video processing unit (VPU), and a cable worn outside the body to restore some of the users vision.

Other researchers are skipping the eyes altogether in their quest to bring sight to the blind. Monash University professor Arthur Lowerys bionic eyes feed information from a glasses-mounted camera directly into the brain via electrodes. This means it could be used by someone with severely damaged eyes or even no eyes at all.

Beyond helping people with impaired vision, bionic eyes could eventually give superpowers to those who already have no trouble reading the eye chart. Those implants could allow us to see in different light spectrums, give us telescopic sight, or even record what we see and wirelessly upload it to our social networks. The possibilities are endless, and breakthroughs like that of Restrepo-Schild put us one step closer to that age of superhuman sight.

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Researchers Just Found a Way to Create Better Bionic Eyes - Futurism

Steven Holcomb, the longtime USbobsledding star who wonthree Olympic medals after beating a disease that nearly robbed him of his eyesight, was found dead in Lake Placid, New York, on Saturday at the age of 37.

The USOlympic Committee and USA Bobsled and Skeleton announced his death, the cause of which remains unclear. However, officials said there were no immediate indications of foul play. An autopsy was tentatively scheduled for Sunday.

The native of Park City, Utah, was a three-time Olympian, and his signature moment came at the 2010 Vancouver Games when he piloted his four-man sled to a win that snapped a 62-year drought for the US in bobsled's signature race.

"It would be easy to focus on the loss in terms of his Olympic medals and enormous athletic contributions to the organisation, but USA Bobsled and Skeleton is a family and right now we are trying to come to grips with the loss of our teammate, our brother and our friend," said Darrin Steele, the federation's CEO who had known Holcomb for two decades.

Holcomb also won bronze medals in both two- and four-man events at the Sochi Games in 2014, and was expected to be part of the 2018 USOlympic team headed to the Pyeongchang Games.

He was also a former world champion in both two-man and four-man competition.

"The entire Olympic family is shocked and saddened by the incredibly tragic loss today of Steven Holcomb," USOlympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said. "Steve was a tremendous athlete and even better person, and his perseverance and achievements were an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve's family and the entire bobsledding community."

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US Olympic bobsledder Steven Holcomb, a three-time medalist, found dead at 37 - Telegraph.co.uk